Bails changed after Rory Burns dismissal confusion
The bails were changed on the third afternoon of the second Test between New Zealand and England in Hamilton after the similarity in colour between the original set and the players’ clothing appeared to prompt some confusion.
The original bails, white in colour, were replaced with yellow ones after the 76th over. Two overs previously, third umpire Bruce Oxenford took a notable length of time in presiding over the adjudication of a run-out appeal. Rory Burns, facing his first ball after reaching three figures, looked to have just failed to make his ground coming back for a second run after being called through by his captain Joe Root.
And Burns is run out moments later.
Not smart cricket from England. #NZvENGpic.twitter.com/dYq3NNNHE7
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 1, 2019
From side-on, it appeared that Burns’ off stump had been knocked forward by wicketkeeper BJ Watling, with the opener marginally outside his ground. However, with the bails the same colour as Watling’s clothing and gloves, the side-on replays appeared inconclusive.
After a significant delay, Oxenford eventually gave Burns out after a front-on view showed that the bail had indeed been dislodged before Burns made his ground.
‘Zing’ bails, which light up after being dislodged, have been used in day-night Tests in the past, including in the ongoing Test between Australia and Pakistan in Adelaide.
The opener will have been frustrated with his dismissal from a personal perspective. After working hard all day to reach his second Test century on a sluggish wicket, a moment of indecisive running cost Burns the chance of making a truly match-defining score.
A life for Rory Burns.#NZvENGpic.twitter.com/C1I5eZsbGz
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 1, 2019
His dismissal will be of particular annoyance given that he survived a run-out chance on 87. Sent back by Root, who he today shared England’s highest Test partnership of the year with, Burns’ dive looked likely to be in vain before Matt Henry misfielded the throw to the bowler’s end with Burns still out of his ground.
